In the article, you will learn how drones are equipped with grenade launchers and thermite charges for an effective attack on enemy positions, in particular with the help of “rain of fire”. Potential problems and possible consequences of the introduction of such technologies are also discussed, including the reaction of Russia and foreign experts.
A small quadcopter or hexacopter flies over the forest area at the front, showering it with fire. It looks very exciting and at the same time impresses with its deadly effectiveness. Unmanned aerial vehicles, which have already been dubbed “dragon drones”, began to appear in videos on social networks from Ukrainian combat units since September.
In particular, the “Khorne Group” unit, which is part of the 116th separate mechanized brigade, publishes footage where drones with thermite charges drop an incendiary mixture on the positions of the Russian military.
Similar videos using “dragon drones” are actively spreading among other units of the Armed Forces, such as the 108th ground defense, 77th airmobile, 3rd assault and 54th mechanized units.
Oleksandr Dmitriev (call sign “Tikhohod”), adviser to the commander of the Ground Forces, notes that fire causes fear even in experienced soldiers. He also noted the high efficiency of these drones for eliminating enemy positions, because they use a special chemical composition that allows creating a complex system with drones.
Although a representative of the Ground Forces Command did not name the specific substance, it can be assumed that the “rain of fire” is caused by the use of thermite, a mixture of aluminum and iron oxide. This is not a new technology – thermite was discovered more than 150 years ago in Germany and was widely used during the world wars.
Thermite has a burning temperature of 2200°C, can burn vegetation, burn metal and cause significant damage. A small drone can carry half a kilogram of thermite, which is remotely dropped by the operator on the target. Even if the enemy escapes, ammunition and shelters can be destroyed by fire, and the plantation will lose its protective properties.
According to international law, termites can be used in military operations, but not against civilians. This is due to the fact that they cause severe burns when they are sucked into the human body.
In 2022, Human Rights Watch called termites “notorious for their horrific effects on humans”. According to the organization, this type of incendiary mixture can cause fourth and fifth degree burns. As a result, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, blood vessels and even bones are damaged. In addition, victims often suffer from psychological scars as a result of their injuries.
The images of the “drone-dragon” look very impressive and make a great impression on outsiders. But are these weapons really effective in destroying the enemy? Former British army officer and military analyst Nicholas Drummond told CNN that the main effect of the use of termite drones is to create an “atmosphere of fear”.
“These are very unpleasant things. When they are used in this way, the psychological effect is greater than the physical. I understand that the possibilities of Ukraine to ensure such an effect are limited. Therefore, this is a niche opportunity, not a new main weapon.”
Military observer and former officer of the Israeli army Yigal Levin emphasizes that “Israel is satisfied” with the Ukrainian “Termit” drones.
“The event is satisfied. Israel is also pleased. Our [Israeli] drone operators are interested in what it is and what it looks like. According to him, burning termites is quite effective for destroying enemy fortifications hidden in forest plantations.
“After setting fire to such fortifications, the assault units, which were preparing for offensive operations, are already disoriented and defenseless. In a way, it’s like a warning shot. It aims to prevent the enemy from organizing and preventing him from taking certain actions.”
An expert, who wished to remain anonymous and is related to the Ukrainian defense-industrial complex, criticized the use of “dragon drones”. He noted that while such weapons look impressive on video, they are not effective on the battlefield.
Scattering thermite over large areas does not cause significant damage to enemy personnel or equipment. The expert emphasized that this technology works only in dry weather, and its use will be limited in autumn and winter. In his opinion, it would be more useful to develop a weapon that would precisely deliver the thermite charge to ammunition depots, which would produce much greater results.
Another risk is that Russia may start developing its own “dragon drones”, which could prove to be much more dangerous due to its large stockpiles of thermobaric munitions. Some shots using such Russian drones have already appeared on social networks, although there is currently no information about mass or modified production.
If experts have different opinions about the effectiveness of “dragon drones”, another new UAV technology has received unanimous support among analysts. In the spring and summer, the Ukrainian military faced the problem of Russian reconnaissance drones, such as Zala and “Orlan-10”, which struck the equipment and locations of the Armed Forces.
For example, the Russians claim to have destroyed 7 Ukrainian planes in Myrhorod. Anti-aircraft missiles were ineffective due to the high cost, so the Ukrainians created interceptor drones that ram Russian drones, destroying them in large numbers.
In a comment to Bild, a Ukrainian officer dealing with this topic said that there are three stages in the development of interceptor drones in the Armed Forces. The first is the creation of kamikaze quadcopters, the second is the “wing” UAV, and the third is anti-drones for shooting down barrage ammunition of the Shahed type.
The problem with quadcopters is that they fly short distances and Russian spies can escape from them. UAVs – “wings”, on the contrary, can follow a target at a distance of up to 60 kilometers and at an altitude of up to four kilometers. Ukrainian developers plan to create drones that could catch up and hit Shahed no later than next year.
How exactly is it possible to shoot a small reconnaissance drone in the sky? According to Anton Frolov, head of the Kruk UAV operator training center, not only operator skills, but also the use of artificial intelligence play a key role.
Artificial intelligence enables drones to effectively pursue and engage fast targets such as reconnaissance UAVs. Anatoly Khrapchynsky, an expert in the field of anti-drone systems, adds that the system illuminates the target and, with the help of a ballistic calculator, determines the interception point where the enemy drone can be targeted.
This air defense system will consist of surveillance and shooting radars, as well as UAV-based strike equipment. The expert emphasizes the high efficiency of Ukrainian drone operators, who use various tactics to destroy enemy scouts: from an oncoming attack to kinetic damage. However, Anatoly Khrapchynsky believes that it was not worth showing the video of the destruction of the Russian helicopter by an FPV drone in the media, because it allowed the Russians to strengthen their helicopters with EW, making it difficult for the drones to work.
In recent months, Ukrainians shot down as many enemy drones as in all previous years, spending 100 times less money on it. New drone technology can eliminate the threat from the sky and reduce the risk of attacks.
However, Russia will eventually find a way to counter it, so Ukraine needs to increase production of reconnaissance drones or have a sufficient supply of them to maintain superiority in the skies.
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